TPP 357: Parenting At the Intersections of Race and Neurodivergence

We’ve talked a lot about advocating for our children on the show, but today, we are adding the additional consideration of race to the conversation, because we know that families raising differently-wired kids of color experience additional roadblocks when it comes to getting support in all kinds of environments, fostering empowering neurodivergent identities and much more. My guests for this rich conversation are Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral, authors of the brand new book Parenting at the Intersections: Raising Neurodivergent Children of Color.

They came to this big through their lived experience as neurodivergent moms raising neurodivergent kids in this intersection of race, identity, and disability. Jaya is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in supporting BIPOC neurodivergent individuals and couples in having more authentic relationships. And Priya is a play therapist and a parenting coach specializing in the emotional well-being of neurodivergent children and parents.

Parenting at the Intersections is a wonderful book, and I did my best to explore some of the concepts they thoughtfully write about, including how parenting at the intersections involves navigating multiple marginalized identities and systems of oppression, why identity development is a complex process for children at the intersections, how parents can create conditions for their kids to be seen and respected, and the ways in which advocating for kids in the education system requires awareness of rights, documentation, and support from organizations and advocates.

About Jaya Ramesh

Jaya Ramesh, MA LMHC, is a psychotherapist in private practice in the greater Seattle area, specializing in supporting BIPOC neurodivergent individuals and couples in having more authentic relationships. She also supports organizations in creating an anti-racist culture in the workplace.

About Priya Saaral

Priya Saaral, MSW, LICSW, RPT-S is a neurodivergent mama, a play therapist, and a parenting coach in the Greater Seattle area, specializing in the emotional well-being of neurodivergent children and parents by helping them reconnect to their playful spirit amidst personal and structural adversity

Things you'll learn:

• How parenting at the intersections involves navigating multiple marginalized identities and systems of oppression
• Why identity development is a complex process for children at the intersections, and how parents can create conditions for their kids to be seen and respected
• The ways in which advocating for kids in the education system requires awareness of rights, documentation, and support from organizations and advocates.
• How unschooling can be a form of resistance in the context of raising neurodivergent children of color.
• How parents who aren't raising children of color can still benefit from learning about the experiences and challenges faced by these families.
• Why community support is crucial in mitigating the loneliness and providing understanding for parents raising neurodivergent children of color.

Resources mentioned:

• Parenting at the Intersections: Raising Neurodivergent Children of Color by Jaya Ramesh and Priya Saaral
• Website for Parenting at the Intersections
• Parenting at the Intersections on Instagram
• Jaya on Instagram
• Priya on Instagram
• Jaya on Linkedin
• Cheryl Poe and Advocating 4Kids
• Akilah Richards on Unschooling and Raising Free People (Tilt Parenting Podcast)
• Raising Free People: Unschooling as Liberation and Healing Work by Akilah Richards

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